David Watson's dramatic injury time winner handed Kilmarnock a rare away victory against Aberdeen and piled the pressure on Barry Robson at an icy-cold Pittodrie.

The lack of quality was evident from the off with both teams searching for the breakthrough in miserable conditions. Derek McInnes was targeting a rare Killie scalp on his return to his former employers, having struggled on the road this season. While Aberdeen started ponderous when in possession and showed every sign of a club at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership table from where they expect to be.

High balls towards Luis 'Duk' Lopes seemed the favoured approach from Robson's men and it was the Cape Verde international who had the first clear chance of the match when he worked Will Dennis into a save. Kilmarnock responded as Liam Donnelly came close with a header, although the tendency to be wasteful continued.

The bulk of the 13,668 crowd were on their feet shortly before the break as Bojan Miovski nodded the ball into the net. However, their celebrations were muted however, because of an offside - confirmed by Iain Sneddon on VAR.

Given their respective recent form, it's little wonder the same theme was on display during the second half. Aberdeen just about edged possession without working the Killie goalkeeper into a meaningful save. Both manager's made alterations as the clock ticked down but the game was scrappy and reflected the wintery conditions on a mid-week in early December.

Referee Matthew MacDermid wasn't proving popular with the Aberdonian natives throughout. That was highlighted when he opted against pointing to the spot with 10 minutes remaining despite Jamie McGrath tumbling inside the box under pressure from Rory McKenzie. Richard Jensen had a late opportunity to win it for the hosts until teenager Watson sensationally scored at the other end by taking down a cross from the left-hand side and slamming the ball beyond a helpless Kelle Roos to send the points back down to Rugby Park.

Here are five talking points from the clash...

Rot setting in as Robson future question asked

They say your league placing doesn't lie and it couldn't be truer. Aberdeen have had the excuse of juggling European competition but a return of three wins from 14 games paints a sorry picture for Robson's tenure as Dons boss and fans shouting loudly for him to "GTF" at full-time suggests his days are perhaps numbered. And with St Johnstone scoring late at home to St Mirren, Aberdeen dropped to second-bottom of the league. 

Robson was heavily backed in the summer with 13 new acquisitions and it reflects badly on the recruitment standard when £500,000 striker Pape Gueye isn't even included in the match day squad. He might just get the cup final after earning the chance but could the Pittodrie board be forced into yet another managerial change midway through a domestic campaign?

Robson understands criticism

The Aberdeen manager answered the burning question about his future following unpleasant scenes at the full-time whistle. He said: "Rightly so, they are frustrated. They want their team up the league, I get that, I understand that. I've no problem with that. The only way you do that [get supporters back on side] is by winning games and winning the games for them, and getting us back up the league, and that is what we are going to try do against Hearts on Saturday."

Killie finally win away

The handful of supporters who had made the journey up from Ayrshire haven't had much reward for their travels in recent times.

Aberdeen were victorious in their last five home league games against Kilmarnock by an aggregate score of 11-1 going into the clash. So, it was a record that they had to amend. And that's exactly what they did as they secured just their third victory in 26 league games on the road since promotion. In fact, the last time they had tasted success in the north-east was 2018.

McInnes prevails on return

The Kilmarnock boss enjoyed a successful eight years in the Pittodrie hot seat, delivering the 2014 League Cup to the Granite City plus multiple second place finishes. Nevertheless, it hasn't been a happy hunting ground since he departed over two years' ago.

He had his Killie team well-drilled for this one and they had to deal with lots of ball into the box from the Aberdeen wing-backs. They weren't afraid to slow things down too and frustrate their opponents and a moment of magic from Watson won it to delight McInnes. He said: "It was good to win the game today with a real moment of quality. He takes the initial throw-in, continues his run into the box to then wheel and turn and still find the top corner. It's a lovely touch he takes and it's probably just that last wee bit that David's needing to add to his game because physically you see him up against [Graeme] Shinnie tonight, a tough opponent, it's a great learning curve for his development and I thought he was terrific throughout."

They now have a slot firmly in the top six and could use the late goal to spark their season. Only three points separate them and third-placed Hearts. 

Rubezic call made

Robson opted to take defender Slobodan Rubezic out the firing line after a series of recent mistakes as Angus MacDonald took his place in the Dons back line. And the Englishman struggled at times in a back three alongside Stefan Gartenmann and Jensen. He was certainly not helped by a lack of communication between his companions and their 'keeper Roos at times. 

Rubezic had shown a rash element to his game and was arguably at fault for both goals against Hibernian on Sunday. And now with a huge Viaplay Cup Final meeting with Rangers on the horizon, Robson will need to decide who he favours at centre-back including if his trusted 5-3-2 formation is the most effective to lead them to success.